That's a gutsy woman you live with. Most people head for the hinterlands when they hear a sawblade whine. I think it's pretty neat she'll even stay in the area.

It is pretty admirable, isn't it? I honestly don't see how she has had 3 stents put in her aorta yet she is still constantly on the move. I think it would have done anyone else in by now! She even still works a 40 hour week!

Originally Posted by rdholtz

For most MDF work, you can use the circular saw if you go very carefully and accurately, but you're really better off using a small table saw because it provides the straight edges that match and glue nicely. On the other hand, if all you have is a circular saw, it does do the job.

I don't have a table saw, so I'd have to use a circular saw. But this fiberglass jelly is so much cheaper and easier and it takes up less space.

Originally Posted by rdholtz

I'm going to have to look at that fiberglass jelly; it looks almost too easy. Does it dry hard, or is it more like a Bondo material that stays crumbly? What's the brand?

It's Bondo brand Fiberglass Jelly. When it's fully cured, it's hard to tell it from plastic. It's a 2 part mix. You just spread it on how you want it and it heats up and dries. It can be green-sanded too, if you have the right sandpaper that doesn't clog... My Tercel's bezel was made from it.

One of my uncle's passed away today. Another one lost to cancer... :cry: My dad called me while I was at the movies tonight (I finally got to see "Faster". It's pretty good). He didn't tell me then cause he wanted Mom to tell me when I got home. Well, Mom was already asleep, but I got a Facebook message while I was gone, so I found out that way...

One of my uncle's passed away today. Another one lost to cancer... :cry: My dad called me while I was at the movies tonight (I finally got to see "Faster". It's pretty good). He didn't tell me then cause he wanted Mom to tell me when I got home. Well, Mom was already asleep, but I got a Facebook message while I was gone, so I found out that way...

Those messages are best received in person. The closer you are to the one who died, the more important that personal touch is. That's why the military informs people of lost warriors by sending humans, not messages. Sometimes the messenger gets pretty beat up just for bringing the message, but anger is a part of the grief process, and sometimes that's what comes up. Telling someone a relative has died is never a pleasant job. But, for me, Facebook is an awful place to find out.

Originally Posted by freeflashstuff

Here is the work I did today . . . the imperfections I need to fix . . .

That's getting way better. There are all sorts of threads in here that make the same comment: "Sand, sand, sand . . . "

You can use a fine, straight-edged file to get edges linear and surfaces level. Keep the file clean with a tool called a file "card", which is a short-bristled brush that cleans the crud out of the file teeth; it keeps the Bondo from lumping up in there. A wire brush of any sort is a substitute, though it's often not as effective. You can use sandpaper wrapped around the file or a wood block to keep level surfaces level, too. I like to use the file because it's handy.

The story about final finishes is in percentages: when you get to the sanding and filing part, you're 90% done, with only 50% to go. Sand, fill, sand, fill, sand, sand, sand . . .

This final finish step is where the pros make their work look OEM. Check any of Nexson's threads: "Sand, sand, sand . . . "

Those messages are best received in person. The closer you are to the one who died, the more important that personal touch is. That's why the military informs people of lost warriors by sending humans, not messages. Sometimes the messenger gets pretty beat up just for bringing the message, but anger is a part of the grief process, and sometimes that's what comes up. Telling someone a relative has died is never a pleasant job. But, for me, Facebook is an awful place to find out.

That's true. It ruined my night... The funeral is this Saturday. Dad and I get to drive 700 miles to get there. He'll probably do most of the driving though.

Originally Posted by rdholtz

That's getting way better. There are all sorts of threads in here that make the same comment: "Sand, sand, sand . . . "

You can use a fine, straight-edged file to get edges linear and surfaces level. Keep the file clean with a tool called a file "card", which is a short-bristled brush that cleans the crud out of the file teeth; it keeps the Bondo from lumping up in there. A wire brush of any sort is a substitute, though it's often not as effective. You can use sandpaper wrapped around the file or a wood block to keep level surfaces level, too. I like to use the file because it's handy.

The story about final finishes is in percentages: when you get to the sanding and filing part, you're 90% done, with only 50% to go. Sand, fill, sand, fill, sand, sand, sand . . .

This final finish step is where the pros make their work look OEM. Check any of Nexson's threads: "Sand, sand, sand . . . "

Yeah, I know all about the "Sand, sand, sand . . . "
I've seen that through these last few fiberglass (jelly) projects I've done. This one is really turning out better than I had expected. My only thing is right now is that I'm low on my paint/primer and I'm out of sandpaper. Plus, I burned up Dad's air compressor somehow. (I think it happened when the fuse blew...) I don't get paid until after I get back from the funeral, so I'm on hold right now...

I'm donating blood today! At least, I hope so. Last time I had signed up and they never called me out of class to go donate. I'm really hoping they call me in today so I can get my blood typed...

Just finished my research paper for my English final. I hope I did well enough to get a B... Yeah, right. I have a D in there right now...

I fixed Dad's air compressor right before we left for the funeral, so I gotta get it back to him. I may be getting my own for Christmas, but, then again, I may not. *fingers crossed* Maybe I can finish the bezel over my Christmas break.

Those messages are best received in person. The closer you are to the one who died, the more important that personal touch is. That's why the military informs people of lost warriors by sending humans, not messages. Sometimes the messenger gets pretty beat up just for bringing the message, but anger is a part of the grief process, and sometimes that's what comes up. Telling someone a relative has died is never a pleasant job. But, for me, Facebook is an awful place to find out.

Now a days its different. Literally everything is done through text / facebook / email. The more that time passes, the more insensitive us as humans seem to become. I've broken up with people through text, bashed companies through email, and so much more. I even found out about my Grandma that she was dying via text (All though I knew she was, I could sense it, but thats another story). One thing about FaceBook is that it links family and friends so one message will reach people wayyyyyyyyyyy faster then a phone call. Ive learned to adore Facebook.

That's getting way better. There are all sorts of threads in here that make the same comment: "Sand, sand, sand . . . "

You can use a fine, straight-edged file to get edges linear and surfaces level. Keep the file clean with a tool called a file "card", which is a short-bristled brush that cleans the crud out of the file teeth; it keeps the Bondo from lumping up in there. A wire brush of any sort is a substitute, though it's often not as effective. You can use sandpaper wrapped around the file or a wood block to keep level surfaces level, too. I like to use the file because it's handy.

The story about final finishes is in percentages: when you get to the sanding and filing part, you're 90% done, with only 50% to go. Sand, fill, sand, fill, sand, sand, sand . . .

This final finish step is where the pros make their work look OEM. Check any of Nexson's threads: "Sand, sand, sand . . . "

What he said..... Sand that bad boy till your fingers fall off. Its looking very very good. Just get those imperfections out and you'll be set.

Yeah, it seems a lot of people are there. Not me. I don't Facebook, and I don't Twitter. They don't fit my communication style.

And I don't want my bad news delivered electronically.

There are some business adages that seem to work for me: (1) Commend in public; criticize privately. (2) Don't surprise your managers; give them a heads-up even on good news, and especially on bad news. (3) Always deliver bad news in person; it's gutless to do less. When there's no other way, handle it over the phone, and stay on the phone until the shock wears off. When it's personal, stay in the room or on the line until the tears are over. Stay available when they need you.

To me, that's all just common courtesy, but it's getting less common. Whether it's common or not, doing the hard stuff well is a real sign of character. People who handle themselves well in crisis are the ones I want around me.